Today is a Sad and Shameful Day for our Nation

Floor Speech

Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, today is a sad and shameful day for our Nation. For the first time in 17 years, our government has been forced into a shutdown.

This morning, many of our veterans, seniors, and over 800,000 hardworking government workers, including as many as 170,000 from California, woke up to a new day of great uncertainty.

I'm saddened and terribly disappointed that the Republicans have chosen this irresponsible path. We get it: you hate the Affordable Care Act. But we should not shut down the people's government to sabotage a law that provides millions of Americans with affordable health care for the first time.

It's also a good day because I'm already hearing reports from people back in California that our State's health care exchange is off to a great start. And as a mother, I'm happy and relieved that my own 32-year-old, uninsured son finally has access to the health care he needs.

Keeping the government running is our most basic responsibility as lawmakers. Let's end this embarrassment today and get back to the business of the American people, and vote on a clean bill that will fund the government and end this shutdown.

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